Asia’s New Battlefield: The Philippines’ South China Sea Moment of Truth

[Project Dharma]

Let's face it. China will dominate the South China Sea and no one including the might of the US Navy can do zilch about it! The SCS as good as gone and the littoral states around the nine-dash line need to accept the reality.

They need to just lie down and enjoy it because they are all impotent and incapable of countering the hegemony of China including America which thinks it is the only super power on planet earth. But it's turned out to be inept, helpless, incompetent, ineffective, paralyzed and powerless to do anything about Chinese transgressions.

In reality, U.S. 'power' is as useless as tits on a boar-hog.

Paaji, I resent that. China is like a cow with fat teats. The US is milking it for all its worth, the day its done with it or it crosses its limits, the US is going to knock them out

 

[Spindrift]

Let's face it. China will dominate the South China Sea and no one including the might of the US Navy can do zilch about it! The SCS as good as gone and the littoral states around the nine-dash line need to accept the reality.

They need to just lie down and enjoy it because they are all impotent and incapable of countering the hegemony of China including America which thinks it is the only super power on planet earth. But it's turned out to be inept, helpless, incompetent, ineffective, paralyzed and powerless to do anything about Chinese transgressions.

In reality, U.S. 'power' is as useless as tits on a boar-hog.

Do not underestimate the U.S. here. The day U.S. runs out on patience for Duterte, he might just have a heart-attack and die.

 

[Mikesingh]

Do not underestimate the U.S. here. The day U.S. runs out on patience for Duterte, he might just have a heart-attack and die.

Well, that's in the domain of the CIA. But bringing China to heel is a different ball game altogether.

 

[amoy]

Senators want $24-B aid from China reviewed
By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 24, 2016 - 12:00am

Senators from the Liberal Party (LP) want the Senate to review the deals with China entered into by President Rodrigo Duterte, including the billions of dollars in aid to be extended by China and the joint coast guard cooperation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea. AP/Ng Han Guan, Pool

MANILA, Philippines – Senators from the Liberal Party (LP) want the Senate to review the deals with China entered into by President Duterte, including the billions of dollars in aid to be extended by China and the joint coast guard cooperation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

LP Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon and Francisco Pangilinan said so much is at stake in Duterte’s declared pivot to China and Russia, including the Philippine claim over disputed waters, its trade with other countries and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

“We are in agreement that the Philippines needs an independent foreign policy, one that protects and champions the interests of the Filipino people, one that is not pro-American and not pro-China but pro-Filipino, ensuring that the conventions and agreements we sign will benefit Filipino citizens,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“The Filipino people deserve to know what the official position of the administration is and how this affects the lives of our countrymen residing in all corners of the globe,” they added.

Duterte came home last Friday from a four-day state visit in China, which officials said signaled the mending of ties between Manila and Beijing.

The two countries’ relationship was strained by the dispute over the South China Sea, a resource-rich area where about $5 trillion worth of goods pass through every year.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Duterte’s visit to China yielded about $24 billion worth of deals. This covers loan facilities and private sector agreements across different industries. The deals signed include investments in agriculture, energy, tourism, food, manufacturing, tourism, telecommunications and infrastructure.

The senators called for immediate action on Senate Resolution 158 filed by Aquino calling on the Senate committees on foreign relations and economic affairs to conduct a hearing, in aid of legislation, on the foreign policy direction of the government.

The hearing should reveal the terms of the 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding, including the reported $6 billion in soft loans, $3 billion in credit facilities through private Chinese banks, and the Joint Coastal Guard Committee on Maritime Cooperation in disputed waters, signed during Duterte’s state visit in Beijing.

The inquiry should also call on the departments of foreign affairs, finance, and trade and investments to explain the ramifications of Duterte’s latest foreign policy pronouncements on Filipinos living here and abroad.

Pangilinan said the confusion of Duterte’s “conflicting” statements adversely affects public confidence in the nation’s state of affairs and creates uncertainty unnecessarily.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros asked Duterte to be judicious in his statements even as she appreciated his attempts to clarify his pronouncements.

She reiterated her call for the President to conduct extensive dialogues with other branches of government, experts and other stakeholders so that the country’s foreign policy would truly reflect the people’s aspirations.

For Sen. Richard Gordon, Duterte is clever and unorthodox in his foreign policy.

“He (Duterte) obviously made other world leaders listen and make things happen,” Gordon said. - With Alexis Romero

 

[amoy]

Chinese warships make first port call at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay
October 23, 2016

Three Chinese naval vessels carrying 750 sailors began their first four-day port call at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh International Port on Saturday.

China’s Xiangtan 531, Zhou Shan 529 (both Type 054A guided missile frigates)and escort ship number 890 arrived in Cam Ranh Bay on Vietnam’s East Sea, internationally known as South China Sea, at noon, Saturday.

The three ships carried a total of 750 sailors in a visit meant to strengthen ties between the two neighbors, a senior Chinese officer said.


Frigate 531 is 135 m long and 16 m wide. It has displacement of 4,000 tons with maximum speed of 27 nautical miles per hour. The ship has a modern radar system, enabling it to detect targets and send warning messages to its command center.

Frigate 531, added to the Chinese Navy earlier this year, is considered a key next-generation warship in China.

Frigate 529 was added to the East Sea Fleet of China in 2008. It is 134 m long, 15.2 m wide with displacement of 4,053 tons and maximum speed of 29 mph.

The ship carries a modern arsenal of defensive and offensive weapons.

Frigate 529 is also armed with two gun systems and torpedoes.

There are helicopter pads, meeting rooms and physical exercise facilities on both of the frigates.

The remaining escort vessel was added to the Chinese Navy in 2013. It is 178 m long, 24 m wide and has maximum speed of 27 mph. Apart from the escort mission, it also has modern equipment and high-speed boats for training and rescue purposes.

The visit represents part of an annual exchange to strengthen political trust and foster their bilateral relationship between the two nations’ defense ministries.

During the four-day visit, the Chinese crew will make courtesy visits to the leaders of Khanh Hoa Province and the Naval Force, and participate in a sports exchange with officers of Vietnam’s Naval Zone 4.

The new international port opened in March this year and is separate from Vietnam’s military installations at Cam Ranh. The port has hosted military ships from many countries including Russia, Japan, India and the United States.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Senators want $24-B aid from China reviewed
By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) | Updated October 24, 2016 - 12:00am

Senators from the Liberal Party (LP) want the Senate to review the deals with China entered into by President Rodrigo Duterte, including the billions of dollars in aid to be extended by China and the joint coast guard cooperation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea. AP/Ng Han Guan, Pool

MANILA, Philippines – Senators from the Liberal Party (LP) want the Senate to review the deals with China entered into by President Duterte, including the billions of dollars in aid to be extended by China and the joint coast guard cooperation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

LP Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon and Francisco Pangilinan said so much is at stake in Duterte’s declared pivot to China and Russia, including the Philippine claim over disputed waters, its trade with other countries and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

“We are in agreement that the Philippines needs an independent foreign policy, one that protects and champions the interests of the Filipino people, one that is not pro-American and not pro-China but pro-Filipino, ensuring that the conventions and agreements we sign will benefit Filipino citizens,” the senators said in a joint statement.

“The Filipino people deserve to know what the official position of the administration is and how this affects the lives of our countrymen residing in all corners of the globe,” they added.

Duterte came home last Friday from a four-day state visit in China, which officials said signaled the mending of ties between Manila and Beijing.

The two countries’ relationship was strained by the dispute over the South China Sea, a resource-rich area where about $5 trillion worth of goods pass through every year.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Duterte’s visit to China yielded about $24 billion worth of deals. This covers loan facilities and private sector agreements across different industries. The deals signed include investments in agriculture, energy, tourism, food, manufacturing, tourism, telecommunications and infrastructure.

The senators called for immediate action on Senate Resolution 158 filed by Aquino calling on the Senate committees on foreign relations and economic affairs to conduct a hearing, in aid of legislation, on the foreign policy direction of the government.

The hearing should reveal the terms of the 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding, including the reported $6 billion in soft loans, $3 billion in credit facilities through private Chinese banks, and the Joint Coastal Guard Committee on Maritime Cooperation in disputed waters, signed during Duterte’s state visit in Beijing.

The inquiry should also call on the departments of foreign affairs, finance, and trade and investments to explain the ramifications of Duterte’s latest foreign policy pronouncements on Filipinos living here and abroad.

Pangilinan said the confusion of Duterte’s “conflicting” statements adversely affects public confidence in the nation’s state of affairs and creates uncertainty unnecessarily.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros asked Duterte to be judicious in his statements even as she appreciated his attempts to clarify his pronouncements.

She reiterated her call for the President to conduct extensive dialogues with other branches of government, experts and other stakeholders so that the country’s foreign policy would truly reflect the people’s aspirations.

For Sen. Richard Gordon, Duterte is clever and unorthodox in his foreign policy.

“He (Duterte) obviously made other world leaders listen and make things happen,” Gordon said. - With Alexis Romero

$24 billions in just aid?

I think it must be a soft loan and not aid literally.

 

[amoy]

Philippines says China still guarding key shoal but Filipino fisherman back

China granted access to the tiny, uninhabited shoal 123 nautical miles (228 kilometers) from the northern Philippines after President Rodrigo Duterte reached out to Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders this month. After his China trip, Duterte announced without elaborating that Filipinos may be able to return to the shoal soon.

A Philippine Navy plane spotted at least four Chinese coast guard ships around the shoal during a surveillance flight over the weekend, Lorenzana said, adding that an earlier report by the Philippine coast guard that the Chinese had left the area was incorrect.

“Flybys of our planes reported Chinese coast guard ships are still there but our fishermen were fishing unmolested,” Lorenzana said.

It’s unclear how long China would keep the shoal open to Filipinos or if there were any conditions attached.

Duterte made clear that the dispute over the shoal, which the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag and the Chinese refer to as Huangyan Island, was far from over. He said he insisted in his talks with Chinese leaders that the shoal belonged to the Philippines, but that the Chinese also asserted their claim of ownership.

Since 2012, Chinese coast guard ships had driven Filipino fishermen away from the area, sometimes with the use of water cannons. Farther south in the Spratly Islands, China went on to construct seven man-made islands in recent years despite protests from other claimants and the U.S., which insists on freedom of navigation in what it considers international waters.

The new development brought joy to the first Filipinos who ventured back to Scarborough in flotillas of small fishing boats.

“We’re happy that we were able to sail back there,” said Gil Bauya, who returned Saturday with a huge catch of red snappers and other fish to Cato village in the northwestern province of Pangasinan.

“They just let us fish,” Bauya said, referring to three Chinese coast guard ships fishermen saw at the shoal from a distance. “We were waiting what they would do, but they didn’t do anything like deploying small rubber boats to chase us like they used to do.”

A Chinese coast guard vessel approaches Filipino fishermen during a confrontation over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in September 2015. | AP

 

[J20!]

Philippines says China still guarding key shoal but Filipino fisherman back

China granted access to the tiny, uninhabited shoal 123 nautical miles (228 kilometers) from the northern Philippines after President Rodrigo Duterte reached out to Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders this month. After his China trip, Duterte announced without elaborating that Filipinos may be able to return to the shoal soon.

A Philippine Navy plane spotted at least four Chinese coast guard ships around the shoal during a surveillance flight over the weekend, Lorenzana said, adding that an earlier report by the Philippine coast guard that the Chinese had left the area was incorrect.

“Flybys of our planes reported Chinese coast guard ships are still there but our fishermen were fishing unmolested,” Lorenzana said.

It’s unclear how long China would keep the shoal open to Filipinos or if there were any conditions attached.

Duterte made clear that the dispute over the shoal, which the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag and the Chinese refer to as Huangyan Island, was far from over. He said he insisted in his talks with Chinese leaders that the shoal belonged to the Philippines, but that the Chinese also asserted their claim of ownership.

Since 2012, Chinese coast guard ships had driven Filipino fishermen away from the area, sometimes with the use of water cannons. Farther south in the Spratly Islands, China went on to construct seven man-made islands in recent years despite protests from other claimants and the U.S., which insists on freedom of navigation in what it considers international waters.

The new development brought joy to the first Filipinos who ventured back to Scarborough in flotillas of small fishing boats.

“We’re happy that we were able to sail back there,” said Gil Bauya, who returned Saturday with a huge catch of red snappers and other fish to Cato village in the northwestern province of Pangasinan.

“They just let us fish,” Bauya said, referring to three Chinese coast guard ships fishermen saw at the shoal from a distance. “We were waiting what they would do, but they didn’t do anything like deploying small rubber boats to chase us like they used to do.”

A Chinese coast guard vessel approaches Filipino fishermen during a confrontation over Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in September 2015. | AP

It must feel like a facepalm moment for the Filipinos.

One bilateral meeting between Xi and Duterte has yielded more for them than 4 years of frantic plotting with Uncle Hegemon did.

 

[The enlightened]

It must feel like a facepalm moment for the Filipinos.

One bilateral meeting between Xi and Duterte has yielded more for them than 4 years of frantic plotting with Uncle Hegemon did.

Yes, surrendering their sovereignty definitely feels like a facepalm moment for the Filipino.

 

[amoy]

The US and India have rejoiced in the SCS spat as a leverage to "Pivot to Asia" or "Act East". However China's tensions with ASEAN countries are kind of overhyped. Vietnam and the Philippinesat the forefront are well versed in the art of "rebalance" and "playing both sides".

As for other ASEAN members, Cambodia is a hardcore ally of China. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia (the latter two also claimants of SCS) are all buyers of Chinese weaponry, needless to mention the profound economic engagement. What does India have to offer, Brahmos or Arjun?

Moreover, they may have got disillusioned when both candidates for US presidency Donald and Hilary renounced the TPP deal (Transpacific Partnership Pact) that Obama deems as one of his cherished legacies.

China gets Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Mission Ship contract

On November 5, 2016, the Defense Ministry will sign a contract for the procurement of Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) with SASTIND (the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense), which is an important part of the schedule during the Prime Minister's official visit to China.

Littoral Mission Ships are fast patrol vessels that can be equipped with a helicopter flight deck and carry missiles. They are primarily used for coastal security, maritime patrol and surveillance, but can also be deployed for disaster relief and search and rescue operations.

Najib said he regards China "as a true friend and a strategic partner"

and the relationship between Malaysia and China has "created benefits not just for the people of our two nations but also for regional stability and harmony."

"It is a relationship I am personally committed to; not just as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, but also as the son of Tun Razak -- our former Prime Minister who first established diplomatic relations with China 42 years ago," he said in written responses.

 

[IndianHawk]

The US and India have rejoiced in the SCS spat as a leverage to "Pivot to Asia" or "Act East". However China's tensions with ASEAN countries are kind of overhyped. Vietnam and the Philippinesat the forefront are well versed in the art of "rebalance" and "playing both sides".

As for other ASEAN members, Cambodia is a hardcore ally of China. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia (the latter two also claimants of SCS) are all buyers of Chinese weaponry, needless to mention the profound economic engagement. What does India have to offer, Brahmos or Arjun?

Moreover, they may have got disillusioned when both candidates for US presidency Donald and Hilary renounced the TPP deal (Transpacific Partnership Pact) that Obama deems as one of his cherished legacies.

China gets Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Mission Ship contract


Najib said he regards China "as a true friend and a strategic partner"

India could care less about both south china sea or ASEAN .:biggrin2:
It was needling because a) china is needling in Pakistan and b)to show some vague support to US . So it can cement an alliance with US.:bounce:

And it paid to India is building offshore petrol boats for Vietnam.
It will supply bramhos. And perhaps few frigates too.

 

[amoy]

India could care less about both south china sea or ASEAN .:biggrin2:
It was needling because a) china is needling in Pakistan and b)to show some vague support to US . So it can cement an alliance with US.:bounce:

And it paid to India is building offshore petrol boats for Vietnam.
It will supply bramhos. And perhaps few frigates too.

Speaking of petrol, Indians (ONGC?) are burning money year after year in Vietnam oil exploration. Has it found a drip of oil? It wanted to pull out, but Vietnamese begged "Please stay on...".

Fortunately it's an Indian state-owned firm. Otherwise it may go broke anyday. More posturing than substance.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

However China's tensions with ASEAN countries are kind of overhyped.

But India's strengthening relationship isn't.

Speaking of petrol, Indians (ONGC?) are burning money year after year in Vietnam oil exploration. Has it found a drip of oil? It wanted to pull out, but Vietnamese begged "Please stay on...".

Like China is burning money in islamic arab republic of al bakistan. China may or may not get route, but it has got more jihadis in western part for sure.:biggrin2:

 

[IndianHawk]

Speaking of petrol, Indians (ONGC?) are burning money year after year in Vietnam oil exploration. Has it found a drip of oil? It wanted to pull out, but Vietnamese begged "Please stay on...".

Fortunately it's an Indian state-owned firm. Otherwise it may go broke anyday. More posturing than substance.

Ahh did you just described CPEC.:biggrin2:

Who knows they just might find oil.
And if Vietnam was begging it's a small investment in Better relationship.
What's the harm.

India would have considered relationship with china if only the Chinese haven't gone in overdrive with Pakistan.

 

[J20!]

Yes, surrendering their sovereignty definitely feels like a facepalm moment for the Filipino.

So signing over air and naval bases to US military forces isn't surrendering Filipino sovereignty? Signing away the right to prosecute the US Marines, Navy and Air force personnel based at those facilities FOR ANY CRIMES COMMITTED ON FILIPINO SOIL isn't surrendering their sovereignty?

But when China and the Philippines reach amicable agreements through bilateral negotiation they've "surrendered their sovereignty"?

Your logic is suspect here cousin...

 

[Indx TechStyle]

So signing over air and naval bases to US military forces isn't surrendering Filipino sovereignty? Signing away the right to prosecute the US Marines, Navy and Air force personnel based at those facilities FOR ANY CRIMES COMMITTED ON FILIPINO SOIL isn't surrendering their sovereignty?

But when China and the Philippines reach amicable agreements through bilateral negotiation they've "surrendered their sovereignty"?

Your logic is suspect here cousin...

Screenshot of my logic from the mouth of a Chinese member will help me to counter other Chinese trolls on LEMoA.:biggrin2:
One moron in past had even declared Indian warships incapable of reaching US bases without researching about Indian Naval Ships' real capabilities and specs.

 

[amoy]

China offers $14 million arms package to the Philippines: Manila's defense minister

MANILA (Reuters) - China has offered to provide $14 million worth of small arms and fast boats to the Philippines for free, aiding President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and fighting terrorism, Manila's defense minister said on Tuesday.

The offer was made by China's ambassador Zhao Jianhua during a meeting with Duterte late on Monday night at the presidential palace, Delfin Lorenzana said, adding Beijing has also made available $500 million long-term soft loan for other equipment.

"China has given us a list of military equipment and we will go through it to find out what we really need," Lorenzana told reporters after giving out Christmas gifts to wounded soldiers at an army hospital in Manila.

"We might get some small arms, fast boats and night vision goggles because $14.4 million is not that much. We will finalize the deal before the end of the year and a technical working team will soon go there to look at the equipment."

Lorenzana said they hope to get the Chinese armaments by the second quarter next year. "The Chinese ambassador last night told the president, I know your problem in drugs so we would like to help you," he added.

Just six months ago, Manila and Beijing's relations were very frosty after the Philippines filed an arbitration case in The Hague, questioning China's extensive nine-dash line claims on the South China Sea.

But, Duterte, who came into power on July 1, reversed the country's foreign policy, distancing from Washington to pivot to Beijing and winning about $24 billion in trade and investment pledges after an October visit to China.

China's arms offer came after a U.S. senator has said he would block the sale of 26,000 M4 rifles to the Philippine police due to human rights concern. Early this month, executives from China's arms maker, Norinco, also met with Duterte.

Washington, the former colonial master and security partner, has been providing second-hand weapon systems to the Manila for nearly two decades since the return of U.S. forces for training and exercises.

From 2002, the United States has provided nearly $800 million worth of second-hand small arms, ships and helicopters, and radios, armor vests, night fighting equipment and coastal radars. Last year, Manila got its biggest military aid at $82 million.

 

[amoy]

China submarines visit Malaysia, Russian vessels visit Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR: Just as two submarines from China visited Malaysia this week, two Russian vessels are visiting the Philippines, and this is turning heads.

In addition, Russia says it wants to hold naval exercises in the South China Sea with Malaysia, China and the Philippines.

Defence analysts are trying to figure out how all this will play out as a new president, Donald Trump, takes over in the United States on Jan 20.

The CNS Chang Xing Dao and CNS Chang Cheng of the People’s Liberation Army Navy visited Sabah, according to a statement by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

The RMN said the submarines were in Malaysia as part of regular navy-to-navy interactions and that this was part of a growing defence diplomacy. It did not give further details.

However, according to a report in The Diplomat, the presence of Chinese submarines in Malaysia at the start of 2017 has “drawn attention”.

The report noted that other Chinese vessels had been making more frequent visits to Malaysia during the past few years.

As an example, it said from Oct 7-11 last year, three Chinese vessels – CNS Xiang Tan, CNS Zhou Shan, and CNS Chao Hu – arrived in Malaysia’s Port Klang for a five-day visit.

Then, too, the RMN had described the visit as a “defence diplomacy initiative” to strengthen cooperation between the two navies.

Although Malaysia and China signed a formal defence pact in 2005, defence relations have strengthened – and quickly – only in the last year or two.

Both countries have overlapping claims on parts of the South China Sea, and China has been somewhat aggresive in recent years in staking its claim. The Philippines, too, is involved in the dispute over the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, the Straits Times reported Rear-Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, deputy commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, as saying: “We really hope that in a few years, military exercises… in your region and the South China Sea will take a very big part for the participants, not only Russia and the Philippines, but also China and Malaysia.”

He was speaking at a news briefing in Manila on Tuesday after the anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs docked in Manila.

The Tributs and and sea tanker Boris Butoma are on a four-day visit to the Philippines.

He said Russia was interested in helping fight terrorism and piracy in the region.

“Our exercises with you will help fight these problems. We will show what we can do, and we will see what you can do and show us.”

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/ca...t-malaysia-russian-vessels-visit-philippines/

 

[Bornubus]

Very wrong title. There is no such thing as "south China" sea.

 

[I am otm shank]

All East and South East Asians look alike.

If you can't see the differences between them then you are either blind or just plain ignorant